Usage Note
Scaltro implies clever resourcefulness with a hint of craftiness — closer to 'savvy' or 'wily' than purely 'intelligent'. It can be mildly admiring or mildly pejorative depending on context. The related noun is scaltrezza (shrewdness). It is distinct from furbo, which leans more toward being sly or devious.
Examples
"È un negoziatore scaltro e difficile da ingannare."
Natural Translation
He is a shrewd negotiator and difficult to deceive.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic
ItalianNow
5 min read